We remain open to inclusive dialogue and support for all religious communities regarding the implementation of the law, and we are willing to hold talks with the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral about the conditions for the conclusion of conceptual agreement, said today Prime Minister of Montenegro, Mr Duško Marković.
During the presentation of the program of the Croatian presidency of the EU Council, PM said that very comprehensive and detailed consultations with all religious communities and other interested subjects in Montenegro had been held from the preparations for the draft Law on Freedom of Religion or Religious Beliefs until its adoption.
“After we accepted all proposals made by religious communities, we requested opinion of the Venice Commission, Recommendations of the Venice Commission were included in the text of the law”, pointed out Mr Marković.
Changes in the process shouldn’t be applied retroactively
PM said that our country understood the situation in the EU, but stressed that we were already negotiating by the most stringent criteria that the EU had ever had.
Although they are not advocates of “changing rules in the middle of the game”, they agree to certain degree that negotiation process should be more concrete and more measurable, PM says.
“Montenegro is not in the same position as other states in the region, and therefore, I believe that changes in the process shouldn’t be applied retroactively. We remain open to cooperation”, said Mr Marković.
He stressed that Montenegro stood strong in its eighth year of EU accession process and that EU membership was the only option.
He added that Montenegro was willing to share its experience with other WB countries.
“We expect the last chapter to be open soon”
Prime Minister said that Montenegro would be committed to fulfilling requirements in the integration process.
“We expect intensification of the activities aimed at opening chapter 8 and closing the chapters that had been already opened. This year, Government will be focused on strengthening institutions, maintaining dynamic economic development, reducing unemployment and stabilizing public finances”, said Mr Marković.
PM added that our country was aware of the complexity of the Croatian presidency, in the context of challenges but said that Montenegro appreciated greatly that one of the key aspects of its presidency would be enlargement policy.
“While following current exchange of opinions and initiative on the new methodology of the enlargement policy, we put our efforts in meeting the requirements of the pre-accession process regardless of the challenges we are faced with. Croatia’s experience in the EU accession process is priceless for us”, said Mr Marković.
“We resisted inappropriate and aggressive media campaign”
PM said that Montenegro continuously “confirms itself as political and democratic stable environment”. He emphasized that, despite many subversive activities, we had managed to maintain stability and fundamental values our society cherished.
“We resisted inappropriate and aggressive media campaign”, pointed out PM.
Effects of NATO membership are already visible
Mr Marković said that effects of NATO membership were already visible in the economic plan.
“Montenegro is one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe. High economic growth rates and national and foreign investment activity have boosted employment in Montenegro”, said PM.
Grubišić: Montenegro must become the next EU Member State
Croatia’s Ambassador to Montenegro, Mr Veselko Grubušić, said that Montenegro was leader in the EU accession process and that it had to become the next EU Member State.
